Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
The Federal Government has called on organized labour to suspend its planned indefinite strike, set to commence on Monday and return to the negotiating table. This plea comes after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared a strike over the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the ongoing impasse over a new minimum wage.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed in Abuja, urging labour unions to reconsider their demand for a N494,000 minimum wage, which he said would impose a N9.5 trillion financial burden on the government.
“Labour walked out of the seventh meeting of the tripartite agreement on May 31, 2024. This was the third time labour walked out of such meetings. We persuaded them to return on previous occasions, and we hope they will see a reason to return to the negotiating table in the interest of Nigeria,” Idris stated.
The call for reconsideration comes after labour unions rejected three wage offers from the Federal Government, the latest being an increase to N60,000. The unions have steadfastly insisted on a N494,000 minimum wage, citing the rising cost of living.
In a related plea, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, alongside Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working committee, urged labour to consider the broader economic implications of the strike. They visited Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to discuss the issue.
“Some state governors will not be able to pay even the current minimum wage of N30,000. Labour leaders should consider this, as the strike may cripple the economy and cause further pain to workers and all of us,” Mohammed said. “We are pleading for a compromise where we can assess our affordability.”
The government and labour unions have been locked in a stalemate over the new minimum wage, with the sixth meeting of the tripartite committee resulting in the government’s offer of N60,000 being rejected. The unions maintain that only a N494,000 minimum wage will suffice, given the economic conditions workers face.
As the strike looms, the Federal Government continues to stress the importance of dialogue and negotiation to avoid disruptions that could severely impact the nation’s economy and public welfare.